HSBC International Management

Have you had it yet? I as because I have mine coming up in a few days and would appreciate any help whatsoever. Thanks.

Hey - how was the testing part?! Are there any good practice websites that you found particularly helpful?

Thanks :0)

Hi, I didn't really do much revision for the online test part - i just worked through the SHL practice tests from the website that HSBC gave us. The questions are similar to the ones on the practice tests so if you can do them, you're fine.

nnishmin - sorry for the late reply but if you've not had yours yet, the questions are all competency based, like give an example of a setback, or when you acted as a leader etc. I don't think i did too well because I was a stammering mess, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.

good luck

@k.yeh
how long did they get back to you mate!I am quite interested in this programme but I don't know whether it's too late to apply?any ideas?

Thank you so much for the answer. How long does the phone interview run for?

thanks k.yeh - n goodluck!!!

the email from hsbc gives you a one hour slot for the interview, but in actual fact mine was about half an hour. The time goes by mega quickly.

The deadline for the job application hasn't passed i don't think, so maybe you can still apply? I have no idea - go to the website and check. I haven't heard any reply from hsbc yet but someone's been rejected already. They told me i'd hear within 10 days from my interview so i expect i'll hear soon...

hi all,

I recently submitted my application for HSBC IM Programme. Could someone tell me approximately how long it takes to hear back from them regarding the initial application submission?

Thank you

Hello,

I'll use my experience to address questions raised above.
1. Could someone tell me approximately how long it takes to hear back from them regarding the initial application submission?
My experience: about 2 weeks.
2. How long does the phone interview run for?
My experience: The interviewer estimated 45 minutes and it did last about 45 minutes.
3. I don't know whether it's too late to apply?any ideas?
You can still apply. They accept applications until March 2010. All the necessary information is posted on their website.à
4. does anyone know whether the interview will contain any technical questions or will they be questions like, "why this job", or "give us examples of you demonstrating leadership" etc.?
My experience: they mention it is strictly capability based and it is. You have to use numerous real-life examples to demonstrate certain skills.
5.how was the testing part?! Are there any good practice websites that you found particularly helpful?
Use the SHL website for sample tests. They use similar tests.

Hope this helps.

Speaking also from my experience:
the phone interview does run for about 45 mins and consists of JUST competency based questions.

The delay was exactly 15 days for me and then I proceeded to the phone interview.

Paurna,

NO you have not been put on a waiting list. They are just reviewing your application and will get back to you in about 2 weeks time.

hey patricius thanks for that ...so i am assuming u recieved a similar mail before being invited for the interview ...

Yes.
The following e-mail was an invitation to schedule a phone interview.

patricus - I did my phone interview last Tuesday (TWO weeks yesterday) and still hav had no reply - still 'under review'. The woman on the phone said I'd hear in 10 working days! Wondering if your status has been updated yet.

cheeers.

I received an invitation to complete the personality test the following day and then I was invited to the selection centre three days after.
However, I would not base your expectations on fellow applicants. Speed of response depends on multiple factors and I highly doubt it can be compared. I believe they send you a response immediate after reviewing your file, should it be positive or not.

Hi Guys, How many questions are there on the Numerical and Verbal Tests? And how much time do you get?
Cheers!

Do the sample SHL test; it is the same.

Lol, then I'm in a bit of trouble, I did well on the verbal and had time to spare but I didn't get to complete the Numerical! SO we get 39 numerical questions in 47min on the actual HSBC test?? I thought I remember reading somewhere that it's about 20min for each. I must've dreamt it. Thanks a lot though, Patricus.

.

this is just a sample test on shl .if i recall correctly u ll have to do 21 questions in 21 mins in numerical and 30 questions in 15 mins in verbal ...

I wouldnt worry that much about the numerical. The verbal is much harder to complete within the maximum time.

Hi Patricus,

Thanks for your comments/advice. As Im due to sit the IM phone interview shortly it would be much appreciated if you could advise the questions you were given? I guess they adjust the type of question to the scheme being applied for and as you are also applying for IM your help would be really useful.

Congrats on getting to the selection centre!

Paurna - i also recieved the same email as you after completing the online tests, seems the standard reply, and got invited to the phone interview 2 weeks later.

Hello Jimlondon,

The phone interview is a standard capability based discussion. The advices I can give you are (1) know your CV (perhaps you can have it printed out), (2) have a handful of examples to demonstrate you have the required skills, (3) review the description of the IM Programme to make associations and (4) listen carefully to the questions, take your time to respond and make him repeat if necessary!

Hope this helps,

Patricus

Thanks Patricus, good advice and all taken on board, hopefully it will go well! When is your AC? Must feel great to be through to the final stage considering the volume of applications for this programme!

I received an invitation to the telephone interview after a month of taking the online tests. The interview was divided into two parts - The part that tests your conviction on the HSBC IM programme and the part where you are required to state examples where you had demonstrated various competencies (meeting deadlines, achieving a personal goal, leading a team, innovating). It lasted 45 minutes, and the interviewer will have given enough hints on the progress of your application (in or out).
I was then invited to the personality test within 2 days. The questionnaire is a test of your patience - 104 questions to be answered. My advice - ensure as much consistency as possible.
A day after the personality test, I got invited to the final AC.

Hi tatimatla,

when is your AC?

@nnishmin
They are still taking care of the logistics. No concrete date yet.

Hey Patricus. Thanks for the valuable info. Much appreciated. However I had a few more questions about the telephone interview bit:

- Do they ask any motivational questions at all? i.e. - why HSBC? why this program... etc..
- As you mention they are strictly capability based questions, what sort of questions should I generally expect? 'describe a time when you...' type or are they very specific? Would greatly appreciate any examples!

Thanks a lot. My interview is in 2 days!

Regards
Ash

Hey tatimatla! Thanks for the info. However it seems there is a contradiction between what you say and what Patricus is saying with regards to the type of questions. So I should expect and prepare for some motivational questions in the interview? Would you kindly recall the questions you were asked? Also would greatly appreciate any examples of capability based questions that you remember...

thanks a lot!

Regards
Ash

Hello Ash,

There is no contradiction between what we said. They do inquire about your motivation for the program (i.e. they want to ensure you know what you are getting in). However, I would estimate that a lot more questions are capability based.
Do only thing you need for the interview is to be relaxed. Know your CV and the specifics of the program!

Best,

Patricus

Thanks Patricus for the info! It was invaluable.

I just had my telephone interview and the details are as follows for anyone who is interested:

- it lasted exactly about 45 minutes.
- the interviewer was good and accommodating.
- they asked 5 questions

  - 1 motivational question
  - 4 capability based questions

• DELETED**

All the best Ashraf!

I just received the date and time for my AC. It's the 2nd and the 3rd of March, 2010, in Hong Kong. Hope to see some of u there!

its the same for me! see u there:)

Hi tatimatla and nnishmin,

I have my phone interview scheduled early January. Where do you guys come from? Does the location of the AC depends on where you apply? And one final question ;-) Since this is the first application I've submitted since I've graduated and I know nothing much about the whole process of applying jobs outside my country ... do they usually sponsor your ticket and accommodation when you need to travel for an interview?

Hello everyone and congratulations and good luck to tatimatla and nnishmin!

Since you have both been successful in your telephone interviews it would be very helpful if you or someone who has gone through it such as Ashraf could please be more precise in the questions you faced, for example, what were exactly the 4 capability based questions?

All the best for the new year to all!

@fishy111 - I am not sure but I don't think they will sponsor but I may be wrong. And yes the AC you attend depend on your location. From what I understand if you apply from UK your AC should happen before the rest simply because of the logistics.

@jelly - I don't think they ask everyone the same questions. Also they ask secondary questions based on your answers and that depends completely on your answers. The topics roughly covered in my interview were on leadership, overcoming a personal setback, meeting deadlines and customer service. I think the questions would also vary depending on your prior experience - because the type of examples a fresh graduate can realistically provide should vary with the examples from someone with years of experience.

Good luck with your interviews.

Regards
Ash

@fishy111: They're sponsoring your air travel and other travel expenses to the extent of 400 pounds. If you hail from a country outside the one that hosts the AC, they will provide accommodation. I'm from India.
@jelly: Thanks! My interview is a carbon copy of Ashraf's.

Hi
I posted this on another thread but putting it here too if anyone can respond ...

- I have been invited to take the HSBC numerical test , I took the one practice test on SHL and didnt do very well could not finish the full 39 qs needless to say I need more practice are there any good practice sources for the numerical and verbal reasoning tests.

Also if anyone knows what is a good benchmark score for Numerical & Verbal tests.

Regds'

this seems of great help guys.. if Ashraf and tatimatla have got the exactly same set of questions.. we can expect at least 3-4 of them.. if nto all.. i have my telephone interview on the 7th.. hope it goes fine..!!!

though I am wondering how it took 45 mins.. for the 5 questions.. because I had another interview which took me perhaps 27-28 mins for 4 questions...?

n hope to see u guys for the AC!!!

Arzoo

Good luck in your interview. Perhaps you can prepare those questions and other/s just in case.
Please take a note of your questions so you can let us know afterwards. Thanks!

jelly...

i definitely will :) when is yours?? n where have u applied from..? i wonder if these guys are gonna call every successful candidate to hong kong!!

Hi,

This forum has lots of great info. Thanks guys. I'm taking the HSBC IM online test in a day or two. I had a few questions..

- Can you navigate through questions on the real test? I like doing the simple direct questions first and then getting back to more elaborate ones..
- I remember reading somewhere that the real tests are not as elaborate as SHL. Did someone else feel the same way?
- HSBC recommends using Internet Explore. I'm just assuming these are standard instructions and Firefox should be no problem. But, if someone has faced any issues, please post.

thanks,
san

actually, I did face issues with firefox. my test window did not open when i tried it on firefox. so you are better off using IE.

hey sansp

like alll other tests. u cant navigate through the questions.. and the recommendation from HSBC, has come probably coz ppl DO face trouble with other browsers.. by far, IE is the safest to give the tests on

hey where did u guys practice for your aptitude tests from are there any good online resources ?

Thanks & Regds

Hey fishy111 thanks for ur reply , the site though seems to be down as i keep getting an error msg from assesment day ...are there any other resources for practice , I tried the one on SHL site itself and didnt do too well and so i feel i need some practice ...also any idea of what is the passing range ?

Hi fin_seeker,

are you sure http://www.assessmentday.co.uk doesn't work? I just checked and it works. Try to use another browser. I've tried many other tests, but the ones on assessmentday are more similar to the real test. I forgot the name of the other sites.

About the passing range, well I supposed HSBC keeps it confidential. It is reported that a lot of applicants don't make it through this round. But if you are serious, I think you would pass. After practicing a lot on assessmentday, I was able get around >85% of the questions correct on the SHL practice tests (verbal and numerical). If you could exceed 85% on the practice tests, I think you would be safe. I have no idea what I had for the actual tests. The actual test is around 20 minutes for 20 numerical questions and 15 minutes for 30 verbal questions, as far as I can remember. Once you click on next, you CANNOT go back.

yes i tried again with firefox but still it shows as site down maybe there is a problem logging in from US ! not sure ..if you rem the other sites pls let me know i really need some practice

thanks & best of luck for ur interviews